Browsing by Subject "Calculi"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Demineralization and sectioning of human kidney stones: A molecular investigation revealing the spatial heterogeneity of the stone matrix
    (Wiley, 2021-01) Canela, Victor Hugo; Bledsoe, Sharon B.; Lingeman, James E.; Gerber, Glenn; Worcester, Elaine M.; El-Achkar, Tarek M.; Williams, James C., Jr.; Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine
    The molecular mechanisms by which kidney stones grow are largely unknown. Organic molecules from the urine combine with mineral crystals to form stones, but analysis of the stone matrix has revealed over a thousand different proteins, with no clues as to which are important for stone growth. Molecules that are present in every layer of a stone would be candidates for having an essential function, and thus the analysis of the stone matrix at a microscopic level is necessary. For this purpose, kidney stones were demineralized, sectioned, stained, and imaged by microscopy, using micro CT for precise orientation. Histological staining demonstrated heterogeneity in the density of adjacent layers within stones. Additional results also showed brilliant and unique autofluorescence patterns in decalcified nephroliths, indicating heterogeneous organic composition in adjacent layers. Regions of calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones were dissected using laser microdissection (LMD) for protein analysis. LMD of broad regions of demineralized CaOx stone sections yielded the same proteins as those found in different specimens of pulverized CaOx stones. These innovative methodologies will allow spatial mapping of protein composition within the heterogeneous stone matrix. Proteins that consistently coincide spatially with mineral deposition would be candidates for molecules essential for stone growth. This kind of analysis will be required to assess which of the thousand proteins in the stone matrix may be fundamental for stone growth.
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    First In-Human Burst Wave Lithotripsy for Kidney Stone Comminution: Initial Two Case Studies
    (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2021) Harper, Jonathan D.; Metzler, Ian; Hall, Michael Kennedy; Chen, Tony T.; Maxwell, Adam D.; Cunitz, Bryan W.; Dunmire, Barbrina; Thiel, Jeff; Williams, James C., Jr.; Bailey, Michael R.; Sorensen, Mathew D.; Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine
    Purpose: To test the effectiveness (Participant A) and tolerability (Participant B) of urinary stone comminution in the first-in-human trial of a new technology, burst-wave lithotripsy (BWL). Materials and Methods: An investigational BWL and ultrasonic propulsion system was used to target a 7-mm kidney stone in the operating room before ureteroscopy (Participant A). The same system was used to target a 7.5 mm ureterovesical junction stone in clinic without anesthesia (Participant B). Results: For Participant A, a ureteroscope inserted after 9 minutes of BWL observed fragmentation of the stone to <2 mm fragments. Participant B tolerated the procedure without pain from BWL, required no anesthesia, and passed the stone on day 15. Conclusions: The first-in-human tests of BWL pulses were successful in that a renal stone was comminuted in <10 minutes, and BWL was also tolerated by an awake subject for a distal ureteral stone.
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    First Series Using Ultrasonic Propulsion and Burst Wave Lithotripsy to Treat Ureteral Stones
    (American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc., 2022) Hall, M. Kennedy; Thiel, Jeff; Dunmire, Barbrina; Samson, Patrick C.; Kessler, Ross; Sunaryo, Peter; Sweet, Robert M.; Metzler, Ian S.; Chang, Helena C.; Gunn, Martin; Dighe, Manjiri; Anderson, Layla; Popchoi, Christina; Managuli, Ravi; Cunitz, Bryan W.; Burke, Barbara H.; Ding, Lisa; Gutierrez, Brianna; Liu, Ziyue; Sorensen, Mathew D.; Wessells, Hunter; Bailey, Michael R.; Harper, Jonathan D.; Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of Medicine
    Purpose: Our goal was to test transcutaneous focused ultrasound in the form of ultrasonic propulsion and burst wave lithotripsy to reposition ureteral stones and facilitate passage in awake subjects. Materials and methods: Adult subjects with a diagnosed proximal or distal ureteral stone were prospectively recruited. Ultrasonic propulsion alone or with burst wave lithotripsy was administered by a handheld transducer to awake, unanesthetized subjects. Efficacy outcomes included stone motion, stone passage, and pain relief. Safety outcome was the reporting of associated anticipated or adverse events. Results: Twenty-nine subjects received either ultrasonic propulsion alone (n = 16) or with burst wave lithotripsy bursts (n = 13), and stone motion was observed in 19 (66%). The stone passed in 18 (86%) of the 21 distal ureteral stone cases with at least 2 weeks follow-up in an average of 3.9±4.9 days post-procedure. Fragmentation was observed in 7 of the burst wave lithotripsy cases. All subjects tolerated the procedure with average pain scores (0-10) dropping from 2.1±2.3 to 1.6±2.0 (P = .03). Anticipated events were limited to hematuria on initial urination post-procedure and mild pain. In total, 7 subjects had associated discomfort with only 2.2% (18 of 820) propulsion bursts. Conclusions: This study supports the efficacy and safety of using ultrasonic propulsion and burst wave lithotripsy in awake subjects to reposition and break ureteral stones to relieve pain and facilitate passage.